STRONGER Challenge (Closed Group)

mandygal13

OK Ladies! We've got an awesome group of 13 (my fave number) for our challenge!

Here are our averages:

Age: 33
Weight: 253
Waist: 43.76
Hips: 51.6

In case you missed it before, here is this week's challenge.

WEEK ONE (10/30/11 – 11/5/11)

1. Complete at least 30 minutes: walk/run/bike/swim

2. Complete at least 25 push-ups (any variety – regular, wall, on knees, etc.), 25 back kicks (lift your left heel to your left butt-cheek – 25 each leg for total of 50); and 25 knee lifts (elbow to opposite knee – 25 each knee for total of 50)

3. Complete at least 1 mile walk/run/bike/swim

4. Complete 25 jumping jacks; 25 sit-ups/crunches; and 25 side leg lifts (lie on your side, lift top leg 25 times; repeat on other side for total of 50)

5. Make a list of 5 reasons you wanted to participate in this challenge.

Remember - the challenges don't all have to be done at the same time - you can do 10 in the morning, 5 at lunch and 10 in the evening or whatever works for you, as long as you do it all in the same day. And you have to complete the 5 challenges on 5 different days.

Let's post any comments, questions, etc., on this thread to keep us all on the same track. I'll try to be sure to check it daily.

Looking forward to this time with you!
Mandy

Pangui

Oh dear. You set quite a challenge for me. I'll give it a go and let you know how I am doing.

For starters, here are my stats.

Age: 46
Weight: 234
Waist: 42.5"
Hips: 53.5"

mandygal13

RULES:

I’ll be keeping a chart of everyone’s progress for the challenge. If you are eliminated, you can still send me your weight and measurements each week so we can tally at the end the total that was accomplished.

I will post challenges on Saturday to begin on Sunday. The challenges will last for 6 weeks so we’ll be done before Christmas.

Each week will consist of weigh-in, measurements (waist/hips), and completion of the daily challenges.

You have from Sunday to Saturday to complete the 5 days of challenge – you choose your rest days based on your own schedule and you choose which days you complete which challenge BUT all five challenges must be completed on different days during the week.

You must report to me by 9:00 p.m. CST Saturday your results for that week. If I have not heard from you by that time, you will be eliminated.

awoutlaw

Mandy,

Thank you so much for putting this together! Is this also where you want us to post our weekly results? Or should we send you a message directly??

Happy Halloween,

Ann

ranewell

I'm excited! Have 2 challenges met already!

Pangui

Well, since tonight is Halloween, I walked with my daughters in the Halloween parade and then walked home to cook them dinner before trick or treating. That means I walked for over 2 hours and the pads of my feet are sore. I hope that counts for #1. The walk home was pretty brisk.

mandygal13

Mandy,

Thank you so much for putting this together! Is this also where you want us to post our weekly results? Or should we send you a message directly??

Happy Halloween,

Ann

Direct message your results on Saturday of each week. It'll be easier for me track through direct than on here. Thanks!!!

mandygal13

Well, since tonight is Halloween, I walked with my daughters in the Halloween parade and then walked home to cook them dinner before trick or treating. That means I walked for over 2 hours and the pads of my feet are sore. I hope that counts for #1. The walk home was pretty brisk.

Great job!!

mandygal13

Hey Guys! How is everyone doing on the challenges? Are they too easy? Too hard? Give me some feedback so I'll know how to schedule the next week of challenges.

I got my 30 minutes of walking in this morning!

Let's move it and get STRONGER!

cabaray

So far so good. Got the bike miles and the walking done already.

Jewcybabe

So far so good here as well.....floor exercises will be challenging......gotta work on my core. But it's all good!~

BrandiA

I'm enjoying the challenge & it's definitely a challenge when this body isn't used to moving :sad:

ranewell

Challenges are great!!! Nervous about the weigh in tomorrow...been playing with the same 2 lbs going up and down for a month

ranewell

First weigh in....3 lbs and 1 inch lost! YESSSSSSSSSS!!!!! SCREW YOU PLATEAU!!!!!

mandygal13

First weigh in....3 lbs and 1 inch lost! YESSSSSSSSSS!!!!! SCREW YOU PLATEAU!!!!!

YEAH BABY!!!

mandygal13

CHALLENGES FOR 11/6 - 11/12

1. 50 crunches/sit-ups; 50 back-kicks (25 each leg for total of 50); 20 Back Strengthening Exercises:

• If you don't have an exercise band/tube: take a hand towel and grab both ends with each hand holding it out in front of you at chest height. Pull your arms away, out toward your sides to engage the back muscles in an isometric contraction/hold. Then release, and rest. Do this 20 times.
• If you do have a band/tube: Grab the band/tube at shoulder width apart and pull the band open and your arms pulling out to your side as far as you can and then release and repeat like above. OR, you can wrap the band around something stable, grab both ends and pull inward towards your chest (like a row) with the same reps as above.

2. Walk/Bike/Run/Elliptical 1 mile

3. 50 push-ups; 50 side leg lifts (25 each leg for total of 50)

4. Walk/Bike/Run/Elliptical 45 minutes

5. Make a list of 5 things you like about yourself.

LET'S GET STRONGER!!!

mandygal13

Hey Everyone! I would like everyone to post their 5 reasons for doing the challenge on this thread so we can all read them. It might help motivate someone else. here are mine:

1. To make sure I get my tushy moving!

2. To be accountable to a small group for my exercise.

3. Because I want to keep up the momentum I gained through another challenge.

4. To encourage others who are making it happen and still have a long way to go.

5. Because I want to run a full 5K by my birthday in February and need to keep working to get there!

STRONGER!!!

ranewell

5 Reasons:


1. To increase motivation! The weekly challenges will help make me do more than walk (which is where I need the motivation)

2. Other challenges have been great, but one that is targeted to my weight range is helpful becuase others understand the struggle associated and we have similar goals.

3. Bc of the target participants, I feel less irritation (LOL). I understand that everyone has a reason to lose weight and I commend them for that. But when I see someone who needs to lose 40 lbs and I've already done that and STILL have so so much more to lose, I feel discouraged.

4. Some workouts are challenging to me. I HATE being the person that says "I can't" so I do try (or modify). Participants in the same weight range understand that and I hope we can encourage each other to push ourselves.

5. To learn from each other. When it comes to something we have difficulty doing or when we hit a plateau or get discouraged bc progress can be so so slow, I, like others, utilize the support to also learn.

Jewcybabe

Hi everyone! Here are my Five reasons for joining this challenge........

1. Form new friendships with women with significant weight to lose

2. This is my first challenge on MFP

3. Gain and give motivation and support

4. Try some exercises that are not currently in my routine

5. Work towards additional fitness goals

glittermouse

Ooooooh! HERE'S where you've all been! I was really wondering why there was no chatter on the original thread. hahahaha. *shakes head* Sometimes I'm so clueless!

My list of five reasons is at home, but when I get home from work I'll post them here for you guys to read.

Looking forward to growing stronger with you!!

~G.Mouse

BrandiA

5 Reasons~

1. I want to actually follow through with something (the accountability & discipline is just what I need). I don't want to fall short & quit!!!!
2. I want to motivate others & be an encouragement along the way.
3. I want to be healthy & one day come off my blood pressure med, heart med, & diabetic meds (much to young for all these health issues).
4. I want to be STRONGER spiritually, mentally, & physically. This challenge has been helpful thus far in these areas.
5. I want to hold my head up high when I walk into a room with confidence & want others doing this challenge to as well

mandygal13

Sorry Ladies - I've been meaning to send this to everyone all week...here is the list of challengers:

annetteslackmoehrle
awoutlaw
BrandiA
Cabaray
GlitterMouse
jennysmission
jewcybabe
jlinan23
lovelyLo23
MandyGal13
marybeth618
pangui
ranewell
superkatie

annetteslackmoehrle

Make a list of 5 reasons you wanted to participate in this challenge.

I love challenges

I like to compete in a group environment

I need motivation to keep active

I hope to meet new people by doing a challenge

I want to be healthy and fit!

themrsbriggs

My Five Reasons:

1. my health- i don't want to have to worry about being unhealthy

2. MYSELF- this is my body and my life and i deserve to live it the best i can

3. my boyfriend (soon to be fiance *fingers crossed*)- i want to see myself the way he sees me *Beautiful*

4. my family- almost everyone in my immediate family is obese and i want to show them that anything is possible

5. my future children- i want to be around and be an active mom

mandygal13

What a great bunch of "reasons" you guys have posted! So proud of you all. Sorry I haven't posted eliminations yet, but I will by the end of the day. Yesterday was my Mom's birthday and we had family in town, so I'm running a little behind. Keep up the good work!!!

cabaray

My 5 reasons:

1. Challenges make me work harder.
2. I like competition.
3. Challenges are a good way to meet supportive friends.
4. This challenge involves people who are heavier than those in other challenges.
5. This challenge will help me meet the goals of the Christmas challenge I am in.

jmelyan23

Sorry I'm a little slow on the posting this week. Here are my 5 reasons:

1. I need accountability from more than just myself to get moving.
2. My health-I know I need to move more to get this weight off me. I want to want to exercise, not feel like I have to.
3. For a challenge-I get more motivation to do things when I'm challenged to do it.
4. To make new MFP friends who are in the same situation as I am. It's nice to have people who understand exactly what you're going through and can encourage and inspire you.
5. My future-I want to have more kids and I want to be able to run and play next to them for as long as they're growing up and I want to always be a good example for my family.

mandygal13

ELIMINATIONS:

PANGUI
SUPERKATIE
LOVELYLO23

For those still in the challenge, we lost a total of 22.8 pounds, 6.5 inches from our waists, and 8.75 inches from our hips. IN ONE WEEK!!!

Let me know how you're doing on the challenges this week. I'm particularly interested in the back strengthening exercises. Does everyone have a fit band or is anyone using a towel?

So proud of all your hard work. Keep it up!

cabaray

Let me know how you're doing on the challenges this week. I'm particularly interested in the back strengthening exercises. Does everyone have a fit band or is anyone using a towel?

So proud of all your hard work. Keep it up!

So far, so good on this week's challenges. I do have a fit band, so the exercise was no problem (well, not no problem, but you catch my drift). So far, the weight this week isn't moving. It is 2 weeks before TOM and that is always the worst week for me with water weight. That's wierd, right??? I always thought it would be the week before or week of, not 2 weeks before. Here's hoping I see the scale move!

BrandiA

Exercises have been good thus far & I do have a band REALLY needing the scale to move this week

jmelyan23

Let me know how you're doing on the challenges this week. I'm particularly interested in the back strengthening exercises. Does everyone have a fit band or is anyone using a towel?

I'm doing pretty good on the challenges this week so far. For the back strengthening exercises, I ended up using hand weights instead of a towel or a band and I did rows with them. I hope that was okay. I certainly felt my back muscles flexing.